Alex Toth: Character design GENIUS?

[[]D[]/\/\[]D @ Nite/So-tite]

Earlier I posted a couple of threads talking about character design and in one of them I brought up Space Ghost.

http://www.comicvine.com/space-ghost/43703/costumes/
http://www.comicvine.com/comic/space-ghost/20311/&i=43703&v=g

I still can't get over this design. IMO, it might be one of the greatest superhero designs ever.

I grew up watching airings of old Hanna-Barbera shows and what always struck me was the level of creativity for the designs in those shows. Toth's designs were really bold, but they also had a form of realism to them. Still, a lot of them were very creative and imaginative. Toth had a level of creativity that IMO, matched even Kirby's. Usually, to come up with a great design, there would have to be a lot of details added. I liked how Toth was able to create simplicity in his designs, yet they still ended up super-imaginative and creative. I frequently see Toth referred to as the "artist's artist" and I tend to agree. There was a lot of dynamic compositions in his art. I've rarely seen that many dynamic designs with this level of simplicity. I also like how his work spanned different mediums. The guy left his mark on mediums such as comics and animation and a lot of artists and animators have gained influence from his style. Due to his skill with the form, I was thinking he might be one (if not THE) of the masters or character design.

Any thoughts? Is there anyone who can compete with Toth when it comes to character and costume design?

[Paradox]

George Pérez? :tongue:

Hee, no, no,no. But I do like that most of the classic costumes that stand the test of time are simple, yet precise. "Fancying up" things rarely works well. I'm definitely a K.I.S.S. principle kind of guy when it comes to costumes. Space Ghost IS a classic example.

[MDG]

I think Toth approached character design (characters not just costumes), the same way he approached storytelling: determine the essence of the character/story/action, focus on the essential elements to communicate that idea, and draw it as simply and clearly as possible.

In terms of his animation designs, I love how he can convey character in a few, simple lines.

Mucho Toth goodness here: http://www.comicartville.com/tothgallery.htm

[Pól Rua]

Toth never liked his Space Ghost design, chiefly because it was designed to ape Adam West's Batman costume.
I don't think he was able to separate the great design he DID come up with from the way in which he was asked to copy something else to get there.

[[]D[]/\/\[]D @ Nite/So-tite]

Toth never liked his Space Ghost design, chiefly because it was designed to ape Adam West's Batman costume.
I don't think he was able to separate the great design he DID come up with from the way in which he was asked to copy something else to get there.

Did Toth do any preliminary designs on Space Ghost (if so, I would like to see those) before then or was he told to do that from the beginning?